The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-09-19
BEWARE OF THE NIGHT CABMAN
He is a Land Pirate Who Means Bust
ness.

He is a Land Pirate Who Means Busi-
ness.
New YORK, Sept 17.-Broadway, in the
vicinity of Waverly place, is a dark and de-
serted neighborhood after sunset. Few per-
sons pass through the latter thoroughfare at
night, and even the policemen find a more
congenial place to swing their clubs than
here, where the gloomy pile of stone, known
as the University Building, combines with
the overhanging foliage of Washington
square to cast long shadows ON the street
Shortly after midnight few nights ago a
cab turned into this street from Broadway.
After rolling along a short distance the
driver checked his horse and dismounted
from his seat.
He was powerful man. A heavy, bullet
shaped head was attached to his broad
shoulders by thick, short bull neck. His
left ear nestled closely to his head. as is the
case with professional fighters. His arms
were long, and his hands enormous and
muscular As far as appearances went he
might have given the redoubtable Sullivan
a hard tussle. As he jumped on to the
pavement there was a wicked look in his
eyes. The solitary passenger thrust his
head out of the cab window to discover the
cause of the delay. He was a small, slightly
built man, with an intellectual face and
delicate features. He observed for the first
time that the driver had left his seat
"What is the matter, drivers" he asked in
surprise. >"Why don't we move onP'
I'm not gong any further; that's wot's
the matter" replied the driver, in brutal,
logged tones 1--WE got 'nuther call an
amt going to miss it. See. You can
walk the rest of the way"
A more exasperating tone could not be
imagined. The young man paled with in
dignation.
S'You will either drive me home" he ex-
claimed hotly, ''or you won't get cent of
pay"
approaching closely to the window
His attitude could not be misunderstood.
His clenched fists and blazing eyes spoke
firmly.
Now you get out" he Kissed, IAN eff We
don't pay me I'll warm your jacket for you
in way ASH make ye wish ye was never
born"
The spot was lonely one and the young
was no matcn for the burly ruffiar who
stood over him. He had to give in, but it
was a bitter humiliation.
Whats your NUMBER" he demanded, as
he handed over the $2noticing with surprise
that the lights in the lamps were out
"None of your - biz" was the insolent
reply, IAN wot's more, # | caught you re-
portin' me I'd wiring your neck, 4 swung
for it, Seer
With an angry flourish he mounted his
seat and drove rapidly away, while the pas
senger had to smother his anger and con-
tinue his journey on foot.
| am well acquainted with this gentle
man, and know him to be a courageous
man. Under the circumstances it would
have been folly to resist. A single blow
from the blackguardly giant might have
killed him. This is by no means an extra
ordinary occurrence. The night cabmen of
New York number among their ranks some
of the worst ruffians in this city. They are
the most troublesome class to the police, who
have dubbed them the Might Hawks"
For single person to hire one of these fell
lows without knowing him is running a
great risk Some of the most daring as
saults and robberies that have been com
mitted in New York have been traced to
them Their violations of the regulations
framed to govern them are so numerous
that the police are unable to keep track of
them.
One of these regulations commands that
the lanterns on the cabs shall always be
lighted at night so that the numbers on
them can be plainly seen. The penalty for
the violation of this statute is heavy fine
for the first offense, and upon its being re-
peated the revoking of the drivers license.
Yet this law is broken every night in the
year. The police have frequently learned
that the worst Of these cabmen are joined
in an alliance for mutual defense in case Of
discovery. The principal object of the
alliance is to furnish witnesses for any of
the members who are arrested. This scheme
has been worked successfully q number Of
times. Half dozen men VINO saw nothing
of the occurrence complained of will swear
before magistrate in support OF the pris-
oners story.
An unprotected woman who rides in one
of these cabs at night is almost sure to be
insulted, il not worse. A number of cases
of that kind occur to me, but particularly
fragrant affair was that in which Miss Jane
Barrett was the victim. She was an at
tlactive but rather odd young woman who
belonged in Connecticut. She arrived at
the Grand entral depot at night, intending
to visit some friends in New York. She
hired a cab belonging to David Jones and
directed him to drive her to the residence of
her friends
Instead, he drove up to Central Park,
stopping on the way to pick up compan-
ion. Arriving at lonely and deserted spot
in the park, the cab stopped. Both men
then got in, insulted her and robbed
her of her jewelry and money. Then they
drove DICK 10 bu6 Sut utni EiNou,
and left her dazed and fainting at the en-
trance to the house. The police arrested the
driver, and he was convicted, although
some half dozen of his friends swore to an
alibi for him.
Some time ago a cabman offered to drive
a man from the Barrett House, at Forty
third street and Broadway, TO Seventy-iirst
street for ST. Arrived at the latter place, a
street not much frequented at night, the
driver demanded double fare II was re-
fused and he attacked the passenger, who
was slight man, pummeling him soundly
and then kicked him into the gutter. His
victim was a Sergeant of police. aud the
Police Department turned out its best men
TO arrest the driver. IL was finally accom-
plished after a pitched battle between four
policemen. who went into his haunts, and "a
number OF his friends He was sent 10 the
penitentiary for year.
A case which eliclted a great deal OF APP
proval was that Of Ds. William $. Halsted,
who WIS attacked In much the same manner
a. the polce sergeant, and turned the tables
by severely thrasolng the cabman.
CHARLES j. itOsrBAuLT.